Automatic vacuum cleaners



Se t. 25, 1956 A. H. BEEDE 2,764,255

AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Jan. 25, 1954 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ARNOLD H 65:01:

4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Sept. 25, 1956 Filed Jan. 25, 1954 P 1956 A. H. BEEDE 2,764,255

AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Jan. 25, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Amvozo h. B0

RNEY

A. H. BEEDE AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS Sept. 25, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 25, 1954 daNA g fl

n v u u llll INVENTOR An/vow h! 55505 4 %TORNEY United States Patent Ofice Patented Sept. 25, 1956 AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLEANERS Arnold H. Beede, Stamford, Conn., assignor to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application January 25, 1954, Serial No. 405,769

8 Claims. (Cl. 183-37) This invention relates to a new and improved vacuum dust bag adaptor for use with a vacuum or suction type cleaner provided with automatic controls. More particularly, it embraces a simple and eifective removable mechanism for facilitating the customary salesmans demonstration and is preferably used in combination with an automatically conditioned tank type cleaner having selfcontained control mechanisms. With this auxiliary device, used with a cleaner of the type shown in application bearing Serial Number 256,100 to the present applicant, now Patent No. 2,667,943 the dust and dirt entrained in the incoming air suction stream is collected in an openfaced cloth or similar bag instead of in a porous disposable self-sealing bag located within the cleaner; this latter bag, when the collected dirt effects a predetermined change in the operating efficiency of the cleaner, ordinarily automatically conditions means to release the front cover, switch the current 01f and eject the cleaner unit dust bag into a readily accessible position, whereupon resetting the ejecting mechanism readies the cleaner for replacement of a new, empty dust collecting bag. The present invention renders inoperative these automatic self-actuating steps of the aforementioned application.

It is a major object of this invention to provide a new and improved auxiliary mechanism having completely and easily adapted means for eifecting its use on a'conventional tank type cleaner.

A still further object is to provide a vacuum cleaner with an easily operated salesmans demonstration device which may be manually inserted and manually removed for inspection purposes and customer exhibition, so 'as to enable the operator to carry out cleaning processes with considerable facility.

Still another object of this invention is to provide easily inserted auxiliary means for adapting a vacuum cleaner to ready conversion from a predetermined special dust bag to a substantially conventional type of cloth bag.

Still other and further objects and advantagesof this invention will be disclosed hereinbelow and will become evident to those skilled in the art upon carefully studying the following description together with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front plan view of the cover end of a complete cleaner as seen from the air intake end, the conventional hose, wand and nozzle being omitted;

Figure 2 is a partial side view of the same cleaner, showing a section along the line 22, Fig. 1, and with portions of the casing broken away, showing the front cover with the adaptor in place; I

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, greatly enlarged, also taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the internal structure of the adaptor mechanism; I Y

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the frontcover in released position showing the automatic control mechanism in its unitary mounting assembly, all removed from the front end of the cleaner; q

Figure 4a is a sectional view taken on the line 4a4q,

2 Fig. 4, of the pneumaticallyoperateddevice for automatically releasing the cover latch mechanism; I

Figure 4b is a fragmental section, partially in plan view, taken on the line 4b4b, Fig. 4, showing one preferred type'of actuating arm or link;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the seal for the opened end of the cloth bag of Figs. 2 and 3 with the upper portion in section to show structural details of the sealing member; and

Figure 6 is a rear plan view of the seal of Fig. 5, with portions broken away to show the bayonet connector and bag mounting and dust sealing rubber washers.

It is a feature of this invention that the functioning of the cleaner in its dust disposal capacity as an automatic, self-contained unit is rendered inoperative with respect to such automatic action and even after the establishment of predetermined changes in the operational characteristics of the air suction stream within the cleaner, no sequence of operations terminating in the opening of the cover is even allowed to be initiated. Thus, the dust collection is effected continuously during the regular operation of the cleaner, and a continuous and progressively increasing amount of dust is collected for the salesman demonstrating the cleaner to show to the prospective purchaser. Without the attachment of this invention, a pressure differential measuring diaphragm, the opposite sides of which are subjected to the different pressures built up on the outside and inside of the dust bag (the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to an opening communicating with the clean side of the dust bag, the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm belng connected to an opening communicating with the dirty side of the dust bag) starts a series of steps producing certain predetermined results. In short, upon the attainment of a predetermined value in the resultant force exerted upon the pressure difiierential diaphragm, motion is imparted to this diaphragm and at a predetermined distortion, the diaphragm conditions means which sets into operation a series or sequence of steps pneumatically actuated, mechanically actuated, electrically actuated, etc., etc., which sequence when once initiated culminates finally 1n the opening of the cleaner cover and/or the deenergization of the motor fan unit, the ejection of a dust-filled bag, etc., etc. The present invention provides means whereby such steps are rendered inoperative ab initio.

Wlthout the attachment or attachments of this invention, the differential pressure diaphragm actuates means which in turn opens a valve for admitting suction from the motor fan unit to actuate a second diaphragm which, operating through a series of linkages, (l) selectively positions a member which thereafter is in condition for subsequent operation and release of its associated restraining mechanisms; and (2) in timed relation therewith this second diaphragm substantially simultaneously, or thereafter, releases a dust conveying inlet conduit from operative communication with its dust receptacle. Then, the conduit after a predetermined angular travel towards its fully released position in turn breaks a circuitcutting off the power supply to the motor fan unit. During these dust conduit releasing steps, the timely breaking of the motor fan circuit results in a progressive deceleration of the motor speed and consequently the air suction stream also progressively decreases to final arrest.

the inside and outside of the dust collecting bag, increases progressively with continuing dust collection, and is communicated therefrom by appropriate conduit means throughout the dust collecting process.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and describing the present invention, vacuum cleaner housing 10, Fig. 2, is a hollow casing. It is appropriately supported on a pair of runners, 12. The suction or inlet portion of the casing is provided with an inlet nozzle and wand together with a suitable conventional flexible hose (not shown), and connecting coupling fitted into a movable hose coupling assembly Which is anteriorly mounted by parallel linkage including front end assembly 16. Front assembly 16, Figs. 2, 3, etc., is hinged at 17 to base casting 199 and biased to open position by spring 18; assembly 16 effects with casing 10 an air tight seal formed by rubber sealing ring member 19, metal sealing disc 31a, Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6 of dust bag 3% and sealing ring 22 positioned in the bag insertion opening of front body ring 20. Tubular member 21 of the hose coupling assembly 15 extends through the opening 31b, Fig. 3, formed in metal sealing disc 31a well into the dust collecting receptacle antechamber 30b, and is sealed against 'disc 31a by rubber sealing ring 19. Switch button 10a on the upper front surface of cleaner housing 10 provides the on-and-off manual control for the cleaner unit.

A perforated inner housing 23 is afiixed at one end to front body ring and is adapted for supporting dust bag a (preferably, if desired, of cloth construction). This unit (inner housing 23, body ring 20, etc.,) is slidably fitted within the open end of cleaner housing 10 and is affixed thereto by suitable retaining screws. In the embodiment shown, the housing 23 is substantially rectangular in cross-section and is thus adapted to take a bag of substantially similar but slightly smaller cross-section 30a, Fig. 2.

Dust bag 30a, Fig. 2, comprises a dust receptacle of cloth or similarly air-pervious, dust-impervious, material 33 affixed at its mouth to the rear surface of elliptically shaped protruding lip 34:: of a rectangular plate 3412, Figs. 3 and 6, aflixed by a suitable bayonet joint 35a to a pin 36a secured as by riveting to rectangular plate 37a welded at its outer edges to the rear of metal disc 31a with which it has a flared cylindrical pressed out portion 37b coaxially disposed with respect to opening 3112. Disc 31a is clamped between rubber sealing ring 19 of hose coupling assembly 15 and the open end of front body ring 20 with the aid of sealing ring 22. Disc 31 has a central opening 31b through which tubular member 21a (to be described below in more detail) is inserted in order to introduce the air and entrained dust directly into the interior of dust bag 30a.

The entire inner surface of perforated inner housing or dust bag receiving compartment 23 is provided with apertures 27, Fig. 2, in order to permit free passage of suction air current therethrough and into chamber 40. The suction air current then passes to the rear of the vacuum cleaner housing 10 containing the motor fan compartment which has a conventional fan and motor unit 72 mounted there- The particular details of one embodiment for a cover releasing and restraining mechanism adapted to control also the movement of latch bar 63 (Fig. 3) is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 4a, 4b, etc. In these figures, preliminary latch bar restraining and releasing pin 70, Figs. 4 and 4b, biased to latching position by the upwardly biased diaphragm of pneumatically operated means 250, projects through an opening formed in base plate shelf 80. Pin 70 is adapted by axial movement to be withdrawn from its latch bar restraining position (Fig. 4b) to its latch bar releasing position.

The above latch bar restraining and releasing pin 70 for controlling operation of the ejector mechanism is operated only when a cardboard disc and paper bag of application Serial Number 256,100 is used without the additional apparatus of this invention, by cooperative association with appropriate selectively operable triggering mechanism. Thus, pin 70, is adapted to be selectively moved from its normal position (shown in Fig. 4b) to its withdrawn position by pivoting of arm 75 caused by the downward movement of extension link 254 which is attached at its lower end to the diaphragm of pneumatically operated means 250. The withdrawal of pin 70 releases for clockwise rotation, pin retaining finger a, Fig. 4, which, in the form of a lever arm fulcrumed on shaft 90b and afiixed thereto to move as a unit functions to prevent relatching of latch bar 63 by pin 70. The entire pin retaining unit, 90a, etc., is spring biased to effect this movement. This selective withdrawal of pin 70 is eifected by automatic triggering initiated by pneumatically actuated means 250 (described below and in considerably more detail in Patent No. 2,641,330 of June 9, 1953).

Thus the above-mentioned selective positioning of pin 70 results in the superpositioning of retaining finger 90a (see Fig. 4) above pin 70 to retain the latter in releasing position out of the path of latch bar 63.

Assembly 16 is held closed by latch a, Figs. 1 and 4; latch 1000 is fulcrumed at 101 and biased to latching position by a spring 100d.

The cleaner housing 10 may be opened for inspection of the bag and its contents without necessarily ejecting the dust bag by manually lifting the externally protruding end 1000 of latching lever 100, Figs. 1 and 4, thereby releasing the front end assembly 16. Since pin 70, especially with the additive apparatus of this invention rendering all automatic controls inoperative, will not have been selectively positioned (withdrawn) to latch bar releasing position, pin 70 will restrain latch bar 63 and hence ejector 51 will be restrained from discharging the dust bag. Normal position of pin 70 thus serves as an auxiliary safety latch preventing the dust bag in either full or empty condition from being ejected upon merely manually opening the front assembly 16.

It is to be noted that pneumatically operated device 250 in addition to triggering pin 70 and setting the mechanism for the subsequent release of ejector restraining latch bar 63 also releases, unless rendered inoperative as by this invention, and substantially simultaneously, the cover releasing lever 100 by actuating arm 75, Figs. 4 and 4b, formed as a part of the latch release device fulcrumed at 75a, tripping the latch 100 to release member 16.

The parallel linkage of the hose coupling assembly 15 to the front ring 20 is most clearly seen in Fig. 4. There, link pivoted at 116 to base casing 199 and at 117 to hose coupling assembly 15 forms one link in the parallel linkage while cover 16 fulcrumed at 17 to base casting 199 and at 118 to hose coupling assembly 15 forms the other link.

Button 10a, Figs. 1 and 2, on the upper front surface of housing 10 operates a circuit make and break switch 110, Fig. 2, of the conventional toggle type snap switch. This button 10a is locked in off position when cover 16 is open by pressure exerted by a sliding mechanism 113 spring biased to the left. Thus, although button 10a may be used to start and stop the motor fan unit while the cover 16 remains closed, the opening of cover 16 with the circuit closed causes a lug 16c, Fig. 4, to release slide 113 thereby opening the toggle switch circuit, stopping the motor fan unit and otherwise deenergizing the unit.

The electrical and pneumatic control units are operatively interrelated. The pneumatically operated device 250 consists of a large upwardly spring biased diaphragm which is operatively connected to the high suction side of the vacuum cleaner chamber 40 by conduit 255, the top chamber 220, perforations 242 in the sup porting .ring of valve 240, center opening 202a in casing 202, upper chamber 205 of a pressure differential measuring device 200, Fig. 4a, and conduit 225 to the opening 230 in the inner sealed chamber 40.

The pneumatic system includes a pressure differential measuring device (lower half of 200 below casing 202) which initiates the lifting of valve 240 and combined therewith is an auxiliary valve lifting membrane 270 (upper half of 200 above casing 202) which completes the opening of valve 240 and holds it open until power diaphragm 250 completes its work. The lower half of unit 200 comprises a pressure difierential measuring control device, Fig. 4a, having a lower casing 201 and an upper casing 202, separated by a diaphragm 203. The space in the lower casing below diaphragm 203 is con nected by communicating conduit 210 Fig. 4a, to opening 215, Fig. 4, on the dirty or dust collecting side of the dust bag, while the space in the upper casing above the diaphragm is connected by communicating conduit 225, Figs. 4 and 4a, to opening 230, Fig. 4, on the clean side of the dust bag.

The upper half of unit 200 comprises an auxiliary valve lifting device having a lower casing 202 and an upper casing 204, separated by a diaphragm 270 having a fixed periphery and a fixed perforated center portion through which valve 240 moves. Valve 240 is biased normally to closed position by a spring 240a. Valve stern 241 is adjustable to various heights for initiating its opening by diaphragm 203. When valve 240 is opened it communicates high suction to the interior of pneumatically operating triggering device 250, comprising a lower casing 251, Fig. 4, sealed by a diaphragm biased to distended or upward position by a spring and capable of actuating tripping mechanism through link member 254. With this device, membrane 270 (open on its lower surface to the atmosphere through opening and subject upon the opening of valve 240 to high suction in its upper surface) assures the completion of the operating cycle including the release-of pin 70 and the cover releasing lever 100 by maintaining valve 240 in wide open position through a lifting action exerted on the outer edges of valve supporting ring 242 by the upwardly distended diaphragm 270 (see Fig. 4a).

Although the above description has been given, more especially, to orient those versed in the vacuum cleaner art as to the normal operation of the automatic cleaner, it is to be understood that the present invention enables an operator or demonstrator to render the various automatic features readily inoperative. This is effected by constantly maintaining equal pressures on both sides of each of diaphragms 203 and 270 which are thus continuously maintained in their original or downwardly distended positions under the biasing action of springs 203a and 240a, respectively.

The electrical system for energizing the motor fan unit 72, Fig. 2, and the electrical controls are of the conventional form and hence need not be specifically described.

In detail and particularly with respect to the operation of the pressure equalizing accessory devices and referring especially to Figs. 3, 5 and 6 where details of structure are illustrated, the force exerted on the pressure differential membrane 203 is maintained equal on both sides thereof by direct communication of high suction from chamber 40 of the casing to the upper side of membrane 203 through communicating conduit 225 over a path previously traced. An equal force is communicated (high suction) from chamber 40 of the casing to the lower side of membrane 203 through communicating conduit 210 and over a path including opening 215, space interval 21b lying between tubular members 21 and 21a, antechamber b, openings 37c, Fig. 5, to chamber through openings 27 in inner housing or dust bag receiving compartment 23.

A rubber sealing ring 37d serves to close the opening around tubular member 21a and thereby insure the discharge of all incoming air, dust and similar debris into the interior of dust bag 33. Tubular member 21a is provided with a flanged outer edge which is locked securely in place and centered within the opening in movable hose coupling assembly 15 by the inner edge of conventional connecting hose coupling 15a.

Dust bag 33 is mounted by suitable means, such as binding cord 340, to rubber sealing ring 34d and the unit ensemble is mounted by screws 340 on elliptically shaped protruding lip 34a of rectangular plate 34b, Figs. 3 and 6, the inner edge of rubber sealing ring 34d serving to seal bag 33 tightly against metal disc 37a when bayonet joints 35a (only one of which are shown in Fig. 6) is locked in position on mountng pin 36a. Additional openings 350, Fig. 6, and 37e in plates 34b and 37a, respectively, may be provided to ensure pressure equalization on all sides of the variously associated members.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiment herein described in considerable detail is merely an illustrative embodiment of the invention which is to be limited in scope solely by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating container in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, spring biased means for ejecting said container from said casing through said opening, means responsive to an increase in pressure drop through said container for releasing said ejecting means, and pressure equalizer means associated with said dust separating container and operative when the latter is in place in said casing for rendering said pressure drop responsive means inoperative.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating container in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, spring biased means for ejecting said container from said casing through said opening, a diaphragm responsive to an increase in pressure drop through said container for releasing said ejecting means, means for connecting suction from inside said dust container to one side of said diaphragm, means for connecting suction from outside said dust container to the other side of said diaphragm, and-means associated, with said dust separating container and operative when the latter is in place in said casing for connecting both of said connecting means to substantially the same source of suction, whereby pressure is equalized on both sides of said diaphragm and the latter is rendered inoperative.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating container in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, spring biased means for ejecting said container from said casing through said opening, a diaphragm responsive to an increase in pressure drop through said container for releasing said ejecting means, means for connecting suction from inside said dust container to one side of said diaphragm, means for connecting suction from outside said dust container to the other side of said diaphragm, and means associated with said dust separating container and operative when the latter is in place in said casing for connecting both of said connecting means to suction from outside said dust container, whereby pressure is equalized on both sides of said diaphragm and the latter is rendered inoperative.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, releasable means for holding said cover in closed position, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating container in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, means responsive to the establishment of a predetermined pressure drop through said container for stopping the operation of said vacuum cleaner, and pressure equalizer means associated with said dust separating container and operative when the latter is in place in said casing for rendering said pressure drop responsive means inoperative.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, releasable means for holding said cover in closed position, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating member in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, an inlet conduit for introducing air into said'dust separating member, pneumatic means for rendering said vacuum cleaner inoperative, valve means for controlling said pneumatic means, a second member movable in response to the difference in pressure existing between a point in said conduit and a point between said dust separating member and said means for producing flow of air, and means for mechanically transmitting motion of said second mentioned member to said valve to actuate the latter, and means associated with said dust separating container and operative when the latter is in place in said casing for equalizing the pressures applied to said second member for rendering said second member inoperative.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, releasable means for holding said cover in closed position, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating member in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, an inlet conduit for introducing air into said dust separating member, pneumatic means for operating said cover releasing means, valve means for controlling said pneumatic means, a movable diaphragm responsive to the difference in pressure existing between a point in said inlet conduit and a point between said dust separating member and said means for producing flow of air, and means for mechanically transmitting motion of said movable diaphragm to said valve to actuate the latter, and a sleeve insert for said inlet conduit for isolating said point in said inlet conduit from the interior of said dust separating member and connecting said point in said inlet conduit with said point between said dust separating member and said means for producing flow of air, whereby pressure is equalized on both sides of said diaphragm and the latter is rendered inoperative.

7. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an opening, a movable cover for said opening, releasable means for holding said cover in closed position, means for producing a flow of air through said casing, a dust separating member in said casing in the path of air flow therethrough, an inlet conduit for introducing air into said dust separating member, pneumatic means for operating said cover releasing means, valve means for controlling said pneumatic means, a movable diaphragm responsive to the difference in pressure existing between a point in said inlet conduit and a point between said dust separating member and said means for producing flow of air, and means for mechanically transmitting motion of said movable diaphragm to said valve to actuate the latter, and a sleeve insert axially disposed within said inlet conduit for introducing the dust-laden air into said dust separating member while isolating said point in said inlet conduit from the interior of said dust separating member and connecting the space between said sleeve and said inlet conduit with the space in said casing between said dust separating member and said means for producing flow of air, where-by pressure is equalized on both sides of said diaphragm and the latter is rendered inoperative.

ing on opposite sides of said dust bag, the last-mentioned means stopping said vacuum cleaner in response to displacement of said diaphragm, and means associated with said structure for subjecting both sides of said diaphragm to the same pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,389,909 Skinner Sept. 6, 1921 2,503,918 Osborne et al Apr. 11, 1950 2,641,330 Lofgren et al June 9, 1953 2,642,151 Borkoski et al June 16, 1953 2,683,501 Lampe July 13, 1954 

